as in increased
being at a higher level than average
for a time there was an escalated interest in the historical figure following the release of the blockbuster biography
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in rose
to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number
as the war between the two countries escalated, it threatened to become a global conflict
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in accelerated
to make greater in size, amount, or number
the president promised to escalate the government's program to combat the dreaded disease
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of escalated
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 28 Feb. 2026
The attacks escalated tensions in the Middle East and raised the prospect of a broader regional conflict.
—Hunter Boyce, AJC.com, 28 Feb. 2026
As the conflict between Anthropic and the Pentagon escalated this week, top military officials accused the company and Amodei of trying to impose their values onto the government.
—Joe Walsh, CBS News, 28 Feb. 2026
The talks that escalated this week began months ago.
—Arkansas Online, 27 Feb. 2026
Sudan’s war erupted after tensions between the army and the RSF escalated into fighting that began in Khartoum and spread nationwide, killing thousands and triggering mass displacement, disease outbreaks and severe food insecurity.
—ABC News, 27 Feb. 2026
The services can be useful, particularly after IRS notices have escalated to levies, liens or wage garnishments, or when the taxpayer feels overwhelmed navigating the process on their own.
—Deane Biermeier, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
The Wall Street Journal reported that forces used Claude during the operation via Anthropic’s partnership with the defense contractor Palantir—and Axios reported that the episode escalated an already fraught negotiation over what, exactly, Claude could be used for.
—Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 21 Feb. 2026
And now it’s escalated by the talking heads on TikTok that need clickbait.
—Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
Verb
As the bidding escalated, Wall Street traders turned Netflix stock into a live‑fire focus group on how investors feel about a pure‑play tech platform strapping itself to an old‑line studio.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 28 Feb. 2026
The attacks escalated tensions in the Middle East and raised the prospect of a broader regional conflict.
—Hunter Boyce, AJC.com, 28 Feb. 2026
As the conflict between Anthropic and the Pentagon escalated this week, top military officials accused the company and Amodei of trying to impose their values onto the government.
—Joe Walsh, CBS News, 28 Feb. 2026
The talks that escalated this week began months ago.
—Arkansas Online, 27 Feb. 2026
Sudan’s war erupted after tensions between the army and the RSF escalated into fighting that began in Khartoum and spread nationwide, killing thousands and triggering mass displacement, disease outbreaks and severe food insecurity.
—ABC News, 27 Feb. 2026
The services can be useful, particularly after IRS notices have escalated to levies, liens or wage garnishments, or when the taxpayer feels overwhelmed navigating the process on their own.
—Deane Biermeier, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
The Wall Street Journal reported that forces used Claude during the operation via Anthropic’s partnership with the defense contractor Palantir—and Axios reported that the episode escalated an already fraught negotiation over what, exactly, Claude could be used for.
—Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 21 Feb. 2026
And now it’s escalated by the talking heads on TikTok that need clickbait.
—Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalated
Adjective
-
Thomas will see increased game reps throughout the spring.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Some conditions may pose an increased risk, such as a recent heart attack, so check with a healthcare professional before starting to use a sauna.—
Ashley Olivine,
Verywell Health,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Yet oil prices rose just 6% Monday, and gas prices aren’t expected to get close to $5 a gallon anytime soon.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN Money,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Defense and energy stocks in New York rose while shares in travel companies plunged.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
As officers approached, police said the driver accelerated and fled on city streets, leading to a pursuit in which the driver failed to stop at stop signs, drove the wrong way and passed vehicles on the shoulder.—
Tim Fang,
CBS News,
24 Feb. 2026
-
The partners sold more than 7 million Ray-Ban and Oakley AI frames in 2025 — a pace that accelerated with new models introduced in the second half.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
State-of-the-art sound and lighting complete the experience, making every workout feel elevated.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Mar. 2026
-
The Forbes list identifies architectural firms whose work stands apart for its elevated degree of design excellence and its deep connection to place.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Many of the companies that are cutting hordes of jobs – and blaming it on AI – had swelled in size during the pandemic years, when tech companies were meeting demand for online services.—
Ramishah Maruf,
CNN Money,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Late in the second quarter the lead swelled to 34-18.—
Don Norcross,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
And because everything must be swept up, co-opted and expanded upon by AI, the repeating of the offensive word wasn’t just confined to the BBC’s airing of the award show.—
Lorraine Ali,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Working with Planning and Economic Development, the council has adjusted and expanded eligibility guidelines.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Chelsea have followed that path while spending on transfers at an unprecedented level, last season recording the highest pre-tax loss in English football history (£342m), according to data released by UEFA on Thursday.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Although the company’s profit nearly doubled in the fourth quarter and sales reached an all-time high, Wall Street seemed disappointed by its somewhat lackluster outlook.—
Auzinea Bacon,
CNN Money,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Its December 1973 encounter with Jupiter boosted it beyond escape velocity.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Khamenei's government boosted its stockpiles of near-weapons-grade uranium.—
Margaret Brennan,
CBS News,
28 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Escalated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalated. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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